Foldable and adjustable luggage



Jan. 18, 1955 KAPLAN 2,699,848

' FOLDABLE AND ADJUSTABLE LUGGAGE Filed Nov. 2, 1953 3 She'ets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR. Hmey AQPLAA/ Jan. 18, 1955 KAPLAN FOLDABLE' AND ADJUSTABLE LUGGAGE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 2, 1953 INVENTOR.

H l/22y fflJPLAAY Jan. 18, 1955 H. KAPLAN FOLDABLE AND ADJUSTABLE LUGGAGE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Nov. 2, 1953 ZE INVENTOR.

AQRAY KARL/w BY W 4 Azmmy United States Patent FOLDABLE AND ADJUSTABLE LUGGAGE Harry Kaplan, Bronx, N. Y.

Application November 2, 1953, Serial No. 389,597

6 Claims. (Cl. 190-45) This invention relates to luggage of the type known to the trade as hard luggage, wherein a trunk, valise, or traveling bag is formed throughout with rigidly constituted walls. More particularly, the invention has reference to luggage wherein a pair of end frames are detachably assembled with a foldable body, with said body adapted to be collapsed into a flat condition when not in use, thus to permit storage of the luggage in a small area.

By way of background, it may be noted that hard luggage has certain advantages over so-called soft luggage, in that it is inherently adapted to retain its shape, and is rugged and long-lived. However, the incorporation of these advantageous characteristics in luggage produces, normally, an undesirable feature not found in soft luggage, in that the hard luggage cannot be reduced in size for storage when not in use.

In view of the above, it is one object of the present invention to provide hard luggage that is of the knockdown type, so as to permit its storage in a minimum area.

A further object is to provide luggage as stated wherein one can assemble, with a single pair of end frames, any of various bodies differing from one another in size, thus to permit the assembly of a valise or traveling bag in a selected size found desirable in view of the particular amount and size of the articles to be carried therein.

Another object is to permit the several interchangeable bodies to be manufactured at a low cost, thereby to make the same commercially feasible.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

On' the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled luggage, ready for use.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view.

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section view on line 44 of Fig. 1. i

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, detail sectional view on line 55 of Fig. 1, showing the means for assembling the body with the end frames.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the body, folded flat for storage.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the body partially opened. i

Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing the body almost fully opened, and showing the end frames in position to be secured to the body.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing a larger size body, almost fully opened for assembly with the end frames of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a modification. I

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on line 1111 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a blank used in forming the end frame of the modified form of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the end frame of i Fig. 12.

The luggage constituting the present invention includes, as main components thereof, a pair of end frames 10, and a collapsible, hard-sided body 12.

The end frames are each formed of a pairof hingedly connected sections of identical, though opposite construction. Each section is of rectangular configuration, and has a top wall 14 rigid with an outer side wall 16, the outer side wall being rigid at its lower end with a bottom Wall 18, and being rigid along one side edge with an end wall 20. The sections of each end frame, as shown in Fig. 8, are fully open toward one another, with the end frames being fully open toward the body 12.

Hingedly connecting the sections of each end frame to one another are piano hinges 22, extending along the abutting inner edges of the bottom walls. The hinges permit the sections to be swung toward and away from one another, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, when the luggage is being opened or closed, or when the body is being attached to or detached from the end frames.

In the top walls, openings 24 are formed, and openings 26 are provided in the bottom walls, to permit the insertion of fastening elements used when the end frames are connected to the body 12.

The construction of the body 12 is of importance, and reference should first be had to Fig. 6, wherein it is shown that the body is formed from a single piece of flat material, such as a strong fibrous stock, foldable along a line 28 extending transversely thereof midway between its ends. Spaced closely from. fold line 28 are fold lines 30, and in close-spaced relation to the end edges of the body are fold lines 32, all of said fold lines being parallel and arranged transversely of the piece of material of which the body is formed.

The area between the two fold lines 30 constitutes, when the body is opened for use, a bottom wall in the body composed of side-by-side bottom panels 34 located at opposite sides of the fold line 28, said panels moving into coplanar relation when the body is assembled at the end frames and the luggage is closed, this arrangement being best shown in Fig. 3. Under these conditions, the top panels 38 are also coplanar and contact along a line extending longitudinally and centrally of the top of the luggage, as shown in Fig. 1.

Handles 40 are detachably connected to the contacting edge portions of the top panels, and can be of any desired type. As an example of one type of handle assembly that can be employed, there are shown in Fig. 1 handles each of which includes end keepers connected by removable screws to the top panels, a flexible strap member extending between the keepers.

. in cap nuts 48 located exteriorly of the end frames.

In each top panel there is formed a pair of longitudinally spaced openings 42 adapted to register with openings 24 of the end frames, when the end portions of the body are inserted fully within the end frames. Openings 44 formed in the bottom panels of the body register in the same manner with the openings 26 of the end frames, and insertable through the several registering openings of the end frames and body are screws 46 (Figure 5), engageable in threaded sockets formeid n this manner, the body is fixedly connected when unfolded to the end frames, and the valise is ready for use. The end frames or body would of course be provided in a commercial embodiment of the invention with latches or lock means to hold the luggage closed when being transported.

When the assembled luggage is to be opened for insertion or removal of articles, the end frame sections swing away from one another, and the sides of the body similarly are swung apart, the bottom wall of the body having, in effect, a hinge extending longitudinally and centrally thereof due to the provision of the fold line 28. It may be noted that the openings 44 of the body are slot-like, to permit the slight movement of the bottom panels that will occur relative to the screws passing therethrough, when the luggage is being opened.

In Fig. 9, there is shown a modified form of body designated generally at 50, the body 50 being used with the same end frames hereinbefore described. The body 50 is identical to the body 12, except for being longer, and

is folded fiat when not in use in the same manner as shown in Fig. 6. Body 50, thus has a pair of side walls 52, bottom panels 54, and top panels 56, with the top and bottom panels having openings 58 registering with the openings 24, 26 of the endframes.

The construction illustrated and described is such as will permit the luggage to be soldwith a single pair of end frames and a plurality of collapsible bodies differing from one another inrespect to the size thereof. As a result, when a valise or trunk of aparticular size is needed, one selects the body found most suitable for the specific occasion, and assembles the selected body with the end frames. This increases measurably the versatility of the luggage. Further, the construction is such as permits the luggage to be stored in a small, area when not in use. Under these circumstances, the user folds the body fiat and thus is able to compactly store the same with the end frames, in a kuocked down condition.

The body of the device can, of course, be reinforced in any suitable manner, and quite possibly, it may be desired to reinforce the same with thin metal panels, secured to the bottom, side, and top panels.

It is to be understood that hinges 22 may be eliminated from the end frames and substituted on the body member 12. The latter may be made of one or more pieces anid may also be formed with an integral frame at one s1 e.

In Figs. 10-13, there is shown, a modified form'wherein the body extends the full length of the luggage, the end frames being recessed in said body.

In this form, the body 60 is formed from a single piece of material such as heavy cardboard, other fibrous stock, or any other suitable material having the requisite characteristics of foldability, strength, and rigidity. The body 60 is bent or hinged along a plurality of parallel, longitudinally extending lines, to provide a flat bottom 62 integral at its sides with side walls 64. One side wall 64, at its upper edge, is integral with an inclined side wall extension 66 merging at its upper edge into a horizontally disposed, relatively narrow inner top flap 68. The other side wall 64, 'at its upper edge, merges into an inclined extension 70 which is integral along its top edge with an outer top flap 72 overlying flap 68. Flap 72 merges in turn into an extension flap 74 overlying the extension 66.

Cooperating clasp or latch elements 76 on the extension flap 74 and the adjacent side wall 64 serve to hold the luggage closed under normal circumstances. However, when one desires to open the luggage, the elements are disengaged, thus permitting the top flaps 68, 72 to be swung upwardly and outwardly to expose the interior of the luggage.

A handle 78, which can be detachable if desired, is secured to top flap 72.

The end frames in this form of the invention have been designated generally at 80, and are each formed from a blank shaped as shown in Fig. 12. Each end frame, thus, includes a body portion 82 which defines an end wall of the luggage when the end frames are assembled with the body. The body portion 82 is integral along its sides with side flaps 84 which are foldable along the lines of their integral connections to the body portion, to the position shown in Fig. 13.

As shown in Fig. 12, the body portion is generally rectangular in form, but at its upper end, said body portion has a tapering portion.

At its lower end, the body portion isintegral with a bottom flap 86 having transversely spaced apertures formed therein. At their lower ends, the side flaps 84 areintegral with wings 88 which are each formed with an aperture. When the bottom flap is folded inwardly to the position thereof shown. in Pi g. 13, the wings 88 are folded under the same, and in thisposition of the parts, the apertures of the wings and bottom flap register. The body 60 isprovided, at opposite'ends of the bottom wall 62 thereof, with transversely spaced apertures that will register with those of the flap 86 and wings 88. As a result,.fastening elements 90 can be extended throughthe several registering apertures for the purpose of fixedly connecting-the end'frames to the body.

Formed upon the opposite side edges of the tapering part of the body position are upper side flaps 92, these being foldable inwardly to the positions shown in Fig. 13. The upper end edge of the tapering'part has a top wing 94 which is foldable inwardly to underlie the endportions of the top flap 7,0 of the luggage.

From the above, it will be seen that the body, as well as the end frames, can be folded. completely flat when notin' use. However, when the luggage is to be used, it is merely necessary to foldv the end framesqto impart thereto the end frame appearance shown in Fig. 13. Then,

the body is folded as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, and the end frames are inserted in the opposite ends of the body,

fastening elements being applied whenever found most gOlVEl'llCnt, so as to fixedly connect the end frames to the The luggage is now ready for use, and after use has been made thereof, it is merely necessary to remove elements 90, after which the several pieces can be folded flat once again.

It is important to note that in this form of the invention, as in the form previously described, a plurality of bodies can be maintained, for selective employment of a particular body when the luggage is to be used. The several bodies can be of different lengths, but are individually capable of assembly with a pair of end frames such as that shown in Fig. 13.

It will be understood that wherever a fold line is illustrated, a hinge device can be utilized, should it be desired to increasevthe strength and permanence of the luggage, or if, for example, the several portions are formed of panels of sheet metal material such as aluminum, or are of fibrous stock reinforced with metal sheets.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes of the size, shape," proportion and material and other modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my, invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. An adjustable-size luggage comprising a pair of end frames, an interchangeable and foldable, hard-sided body extending therebetween, and means detachably connecting the body to the end frames, each of said end frames including a pair of hingedly connected, rectangular sections and said hard-sided body may be interchanged with other similar bodies of different sizes.

2. Collapsible and interchangeable-size luggage comprising a pair of end frames, a foldable, hard-sided body extending therebetween, and means detachably connecting the body to the end frames, each of said end frames including a pair of hingedly connected, rectangular sections, said sections each being formed with top and bottom walls, an outer side wall, and an end wall, said sections being open toward one another and toward the body.

3. Collapsible and interchangeable-size luggage comprising a pair of end frames, a foldable, hard-sided body extending therebetween, and means detachably connecting the. body to the end frames, each of said end frames including a pair of hingedly connected, rectangular sections, said sections each being formed with top and'bottom walls, an outer side wall, and an end wall, said sections being open toward one another and toward the body, the body being formed of a single piece of material having spaced parallel fold lines, with said body being foldable flat when detached from the body and being extendable into an open ended structure of rectangular cross section. when assembled with the endv frames.

4. An interchangeable-size and collapsible luggage comprising a pair of end' frames, a foldable, hard-sided body extending therebetween, and means detachably connecting the body to the end frames, each of said end frames including a pair. of. hingedly connected, rectangular sections, said sections each being formed with top and bottom walls,.an outer side wall, and an end wall, said sections being open toward one another and toward the body, the body being formed of asingle piece of material havlng spaced parallel. fold lines, with said body being foldable flat when detached from. the body and being extendable into an open ended structure of rectangular crosssection. when assembled with the end frames, the body having a pair of bottom panels contacting the bottom walls of the frame sections, said bottom panels being hinged to one another-along a line extending in substantial alignment with the hinge: axis of each end frame.

5. An adjustable-size luggage comprising a pair of end frames, a foldable, hard-sided bodyextending therebetween, and means detachably connecting the body to the end frames, each .of said end frames including a pair of hingedly connected, rectangular sections, said sections each being formed with top and bottom walls, an outer side Wall, and amend. wall, said sections being open toward one another and toward the body, the body being formed of a single piece of material having spaced parallel fold lines, with said body being foldable flat when detached from the body and being extendable into an open ended structure of rectangular cross section when assembled with the end frames, the body having a pair of bottom panels contacting the bottom walls of the frame sec tions, said bottom panels being hinged to one another along a line extending in substantial alignment with the hinge axis of each end frame, said body being further formed with side Walls contacting the side walls of the end frames, and with top panels contacting the top walls of the end frames, said hard-sided body may be interchanged with other hard-sided bodies of diiierent sizes.

6. An interchangeable-size and collapsible luggage comprising a pair of end frames, a foldable, hard-sided body extending therebetween, and means detachably connecting the body to the end frames, each of said end frames including a pair of hingedly connected, rectangular sections, said sections each being formed with top and bottom walls, an outer side wall, and an end wall, said sections being open toward one another and toward the body, the body being formed of a single piece of material having spaced parallel fold lines, with said body being foldable flat when detached from the body and being extendable into an open ended structure of rectangular crosssection when assembled with the end frames, the body having a pair of bottom panels contacting the bottom walls of the frame sections, said bottom panels being hinged to one another along a line extending in substantial alignment with the hinge axis of each end frame, said line along which the bottom panels are hinged 1y connected to one another being disposed midway between the ends of the piece of material of which the body is formed, so as to constitute a fold line along which the piece may be collapsed into a flat condition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,120,224 Murray Dec. 8, 1914 1,231,977 Winship July 3, 1917 1,387,597 Fetters Aug. 16, 1921 2,583,931 Cummings Jan. 29, 1952 

